The Delaware section of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstretric and Neonatal Nurses presented the award to Kelly at its annual statewide conference in Rehoboth Beach on Oct. 12.

About 80 members make up the Delaware section of the national organization, which works to promote the health of women and newborns and strengthen the nursing profession. Kelly served as chairperson of the Delaware section from 2000 to 2004.

A Bayhealth employee since 1984, she previously served as Bayhealth’s Breast Care Coordinator before being named the nurse manager of women’s services at Milford Memorial in 2006. She also has served as the special care nursery manager at Kent General in Dover since 2011.